To think she’s not going to be able to get her antibiotics

[Honeysucklecastle]

Yesterday my sister went to the dentist as she had a raging toothache. Turns out she has an abscess. The dentist gave her a prescription for antibiotics. My sister then waited in a 2 hour queue at the pharmacy only to be told the dentist hasn’t stamped the prescription and therefore they can not issue the meds!
She’s rung the dentist and they are now closed stating in their voicemail message to ring 111 incase of a dental emergency - that’s obviously a no no.
She has tried the gp surgery but they’ve said as it’s a dental issue they can’t help.
What can she do? There doesn’t appear to be any dentist open in our area because of the coronavirus lockdown.

That’s awful and such bad luck at this time. The only thing I could suggest is to take to a couple of other pharmacies. A dental abscess can be dangerous so she should start taking them. People are highly unlikely to abuse a course of antibiotics so you may find they will dispense anyway. Especially if you undertake to go back with the completed stamped prescription as soon as possible. I have found Boots very helpful on the rare occasion I’ve ever had a real problem with a prescription.

If there is literally no dentist open, which actually surprises me considering some of the people that have been classed as essential workers, then she’s going to need to call 111. You select a different number for dental problems so should avoid all the Coronavirus/other health issues (although I’ve never done it so not 209% sure)! If there’s an abscess that needs antibiotics then it’s definitely an emergency or it’ll just get much worse!

Youngatheart00 it was our local Boots but I did suggest maybe she could try another one.
youdoyou18 I didn’t know there was a separate section for dental, maybe she should try ringing see what they say.

I'd agree 111 is the way to go.

Yes another pharmacy would be a good bet. Although of course she wants to be out and about as little as possible. What a real pain.

I would show up at the pharmacy again / or a different one and if they won’t dispense I’d probably resort to tears. I know they have dispensing rules but these are not normal times and the consequences of doing nothing is worse than the consequences of dispensing, especially if she promises to go back with the stamped prescription when she can. It’s not like it’s a controlled drug. Is it metrodizanole (sp)?

I very much doubt any pharmacist will dispense an unsigned prescription.